Students across Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire woke up to find out their A-level results today.

After months and years of hard work many raised a glass to success, while some were inevitably disappointed.

Those all important grades can mean the difference between a place on a students' dream course at a top university, or a last minute change of plan through Clearing.

It can be a stressful day, with important decisions to be taken for some at short notice.

Follow updates below from schools and colleges across Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire.

13:27

Brigg Sixth Form results

Brigg Sixth Form students celebrated excellent results.

Angela Savage, sixth form director from The Vale Academy, said: “We are delighted with our 100 per cent pass rate and the high numbers of students achieving the top A* to B grades.”

Matt Mosey, sixth form director from Sir John Nelthorpe School, said: “These results are the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work from both students and staff and students who applied have gained places at their choice of university.”

There were some outstanding individual performances, including Harvey Stevenson who achieved four A* grades and will study Medicine at Imperial College London; Alex Nightingale, three grade Bs and will study primary education at Durham University; Monica Salvatierra, A*BB who is going on to read Business Management at the University of Leeds; and Kai Tindall who has gained a place on a highly-coveted degree level apprenticeship with BAE Systems.

Alex Nightingale (left) who got three grade B's and is going to Durham University to study primary education and Harvey Stevenson, four A* grades and is studying medicine at Imperial College London

Congratulations to all Brigg Sixth Form students on another excellent set of results.

The Vale Academy principal Nicola Williams said: “These are an excellent set of results which will enable our students to access the HE courses of their choice.

“They are also a reflection of the strong teaching and personalised support that we provide. I am delighted that our post 16 provision continues to grow and flourish. Well done to all.”

19:14

North Lindsey College results

North Lindsey College welcomed students back into college to receive their A-level results.

A 100 per cent achievement rate was reported in A-level Maths, enabling many students to progress onto university. For many North Lindsey College students, the move is not too far away with higher education provision available on site at The University Centre.

Joel Brand, 18, a former Frederick Gough student received a B grade in A level Mathematics.

He also studied on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering alongside this A-level.

“I did my As level last year at North Lindsey College and came back to do my A Levels. The resources are very good and the teaching is of very high quality.

“The smaller classes have really benefited us all as we have had much more one to one sessions.”

Joel completed work experience at BAE Systems through his engineering course and has now been a successful candidate to start an apprenticeship with them in September.

Jack Parkinson, Maths lecturer at North Lindsey College, said: “I am over the moon for the A Level maths students. They have all worked so hard this year and they have achieved outstanding results. I’ve taught them for the last two years and it’s been a real privilege to share my knowledge with them and help them get to grips with interesting and challenging concepts.

“Achieving such high grades has allowed some students to move onto higher level apprenticeships in engineering, which is a fantastic progression route. North Lindsey is a great place to study combined courses such as Engineering alongside A-level Maths.”

Iahhiah Chowdhary came to North Lindsey College to study his A-level Maths and picked up a grade B. Iahhiah is hoping to be a teacher one day and his grade

has now enabled him to study at Open University on the Maths degree.

He said, “I chose North Lindsey College as it is a very friendly college. The teachers have given me lots of advice and I have really enjoyed my time here. I feel that you need to enjoy what you are doing to succeed. If you need any help all the staff are happy to help.”

Iahhiah Chowdhury with his results

For any students wanting sound career advice, an appointment can be made with the careers team who have recently received the Quality in Careers Standard Award.

For any further enquiries regarding courses at The University Centre in Scunthorpe or any other courses, the next advice and enrolment is on August 30, 4.30pm to 7pm. Alternatively any enquiries can be made to the Customer Services department on 01724 281111.

Students who are wanting to apply for a higher education course at North Lindsey College need to search for the DN Colleges Group.

14:28

More success at John Leggott College

James Bannister received four A*s in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths. He is going to study Physics at the University of Manchester.

“I’m extremely happy. It’s what I wanted and I would have been disappointed if I didn’t get these results,” he said.

14:24

Chair of governors speaks

Andrew Pascoe, chair of governors at John Leggott College, said: “I would like to congratulate all the students on their well deserved success and wish them all the best for their success and wish them all the best for the future.

“I would also like to thank and recognise the hard work and support all at John Leggott College have given to the students to enable them to achieve these brilliant results.”

14:20

Council comment

Councillor David Rose, cabinet member for children, learning and families, said: “I would like to congratulate all the young people receiving their A-Level results. As always, students across North Lincolnshire have shown tremendous commitment and dedication in order to achieve their qualifications. Staff in schools and colleges have gone the extra mile to support individual students to make good progress, contributing to the strong and improving quality of education within North Lincolnshire.”

The Careers and Progression Team are on hand to help and offer support for students who want to reconsider their opportunities now they have their results. You can contact the team on 01724 298554.

12:48

Success for John Leggott College students

Callum Wale, Ben Kernan and Andrew Fursey moved to Houston, Texas, when he was 11 before moving back to Scunthorpe, aged 17.

The three remained close friends even whilst he was in the States and went through college together. All three went to Bottesford CE Primary School.

They opened their results to find that Andrew had two A stars and an A. He will now go onto study Natural Sciences at the University of Leeds.

Callum got two double distinctions and a B and will go on to study at Durham University.

Ben got A, B and B and will study at the University of Lincoln.

Ben Kernan, Callum Wale and Andrew Fursey with their A-level results

12:40

Caistor Grammar School results

Students at Caistor Grammar School have produced some very strong A level results.

Headmaster, Alistair Hopkins, described this year’s results as “extremely impressive in the face of the uncertainty caused by A level changes,” adding: “Our students have delivered a wonderful set of results and brought great credit to themselves, their teachers, their families and the School. These results are symbolic of students’ drive and determination to do their best in all sorts of areas. Their exam results are another element of their impressive portfolios of skills.

“They have been a wonderful year group. I’m sorry to see them leave but also excited about their potential. We will watch their progress with interest and pride.

“Students have received more unconditional offers than ever before but they have not, I’m pleased to say, allowed this to compromise their quest for excellence.”

66.5 per cent of all results were A*-B (excluding General Studies) and 43.8 per cent of all grades were graded A* or A. Over a quarter of students achieved three As or better and just under half of the cohort gained at least 2As or better.

Caistor Grammar School says the results will retain its position as “one of the leading state schools locally and nationally”.

A-level results day at Caistor Grammar School

12:36

Statement from South Axholme Academy

Students and staff at South Axholme Academy were celebrating their second year of outstanding A level and Level 3 results which place the academy’s sixth form in the top 10 per cent of providers nationally.

Students in the sixth form have once again excelled with a record breaking 47 per cent of exam entries achieving the top A*-B grades and a 100 per cent A*-E pass rate.

Furthermore, all Level 3 entries in Business and in Sport respectively achieved Distinction* or Distinction – the highest possible grading!

Many exceptional performances were celebrated by the academy’s outgoing Year 13.

Leading the way were Robbie Robson (A*A*A*) who is leaving to commence a medicine degree at Manchester University and Eloise Rose (A*AA) who will begin a veterinary science degree at Liverpool University. With such fantastic results, South Axholme students are now anticipating the start of their university lives at a range of prestigious institutions to study a wide range of courses including law, agricultural sciences, psychology, sociology, criminology, English, linguistics, accountancy, sports management and sport and exercise.

Maria Rock, strategic lead for South Axholme Sixth Form, said: “These are an outstanding set of examination results that reflect a huge amount of hard work by an excellent group of students who have been exceptionally well supported by staff at South Axholme Academy and their families.

“The academy’s sixth form has continued to achieve high standards in all subjects with fantastic results for Year 13 but also our Year 12 Mathematicians, three of whom achieved A grades in their AS Maths exams.”

Two outstanding sets of results clearly reflect the high quality learning environment that South Axholme 6th Form provides and it’s not too late to apply for September 2018!

10:18

The national picture

National figures show more than one in four A-levels were awarded an A or A* this year - the highest proportion for six years.

Data published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) shows 26.4 per cent of UK entries were given one of the two top grades, which is up 0.1 percentage points on last year.

The figures also show that the proportion of A-Levels handed the very top result has fallen to its lowest level since 2013.

One in 12 (8 per cent) entries scored an A* grade this year, down 0.3 percentage points on 2017.

The overall A* to E pass rate has also fallen 0.3 percentage points to 97.6 per cent, which is the lowest level since 2010.

10:13

Advice on the next step

Students collecting their A-level results today will have to decide what the next step will be. Will it be university, an apprenticeship, a job, a gap year or something else?

Dr Nick Smith, courses director and founder of Oxford Open Learning Trust, said: “A-level results day is a massive occasion for students all over the country and it’s great to see so many smiling faces excited for the future.

“Inevitably some will not receive the news they were hoping for and fall a little short of the results needed for their next step. We’re here to reassure them that everything is going to be alright! If students don’t quite get the A Levels they wanted, there are a number of options available to them.

“The UCAS clearing system should be your first port of call if you didn’t meet your university’s grade requirements. Many institutions will still have places available, so have a look on the UCAS website or give them a quick call to check if your course is on offer elsewhere.

“Alternatively, it might be worth considering other learning pathways, such as apprenticeships or work experience. Gap years are also an option and allow you to pursue other interests such as travel or charity work.

“For students considering a break from traditional education, you can still resit A Levels or even start studying for new ones whilst working. Distance learning is the most flexible way of doing this as everything you need is available online, so you can learn wherever and whenever is convenient for you.”

10:00

A delighted student

South Axholme Academy student Eloise Rose with her A-level results

09:48

College advice

09:47

Higher education advice

09:36

Principal speaks

South Axholme Academy principal Sarah Thompson said: “We have got an amazing set of results. Everybody has passed.

“We have got some fantastic A*s and A’s. They are our best results ever.

“We have got 100 per cent A*s to E pass rates. We think they are going to put us well up nationally. I think in the top 10 per cent nationally.”

The principal said 21 students collected their results this morning.

“Everybody has secured their places and got the grades they wanted,” she added.

South Axholme Academy students Chris Grayson and Robbie Robson looking at their A-level results with principal Sarah Thompson

09:32

More good news for students

South Axholme Academy student Robbie Robson, 18, from Epworth, was also celebrating this morning.

He got three A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

“I am very pleased. I was not expecting the results at all. I was predicted two A*s and an A.”

Robbie said he was “a little worried” after sitting a particularly hard exam paper.

He said in past exams, he has left the “cramming” to the last minute but he was more prepared this time.

Robbie is celebrating tonight with a meal in Epworth with his auntie who is flying over from Australia.

The 18-year-old is off to the University of Manchester to study medicine and said he would like to be a surgeon in the future.

Chris Grayson, 18, from Belton, was also happy with his results. He got a D in Physics, a C in Maths and a distinction star in Sport.

“I was predicted E’s in both Maths and Physics. I did better than I expected.”

Chris has applied for a BT engineer apprenticeship and is now going through the process, reaching the final stage.

Chris Grayson and Robbie Robson with their A-level results

09:19

Students celebrate at South Axholme Academy

Over at the South Axholme Academy in Epworth, students were celebrating after receiving their results.

Hannah Piggott, 18, from Epworth, got two Bs in Biology and Chemistry and a C in History.

“They were my predicted grades but it was daunting until the last minute. We all came in and we all had individual envelopes with our results on.”

Hannah said she knew her grades before as she checked them online.

She is now off to the University of Nottingham to study a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

Hannah Piggott pictured with her brother Samuel as she collects her A-level results

09:13

Principal speaks

John Leggott College principal Leon Riley said: “It is fantastic to see such great results in our 50th year. One out of every two A-level students have achieved A* to B.

“We have particularly seen exceptional results in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Law, Art, Graphics, Economics and English Language, to name a few.

“I am immensely proud of our staff and students for achieving this. I am privileged to have talented and dedicated staff and students.

“I wish all of our 2018 leavers every success with their future choices, whether that is onto university, further training or employment.”

09:10

Statement from John Leggott College

“John Leggott College students have achieved golden results in our 50th anniversary year. The college A-level pass rate was 99 per cent with 25 A-level subjects out of 28 receiving 100 per cent pass rate and 75 per cent achieving A* to C grades.

“The college STEM student have continued the tradition of outstanding performance.

“The college’s BTEC students have also achieved record results for the college, with 91 per cent achieving a high grade - a record for the college.”

09:02

Students collecting their results at John Leggott College

Students collecting their results at John Leggott College

09:00

More delighted students at John Leggott College

Laura Cowlbeck (pictured below) found out she received three A’s and an A*s. She will be able to study at Hull York Medical School to become a doctor.

Laura Cowlbeck at John Leggott College with her A-level results

Henry Bray was nearly in tears as he received four A*s. He’ll be in the top 0.01 per cent of student grades and is going to study at the University of Warwick.

Dominic So, originally from Sir John Nelthorpe School in Brigg, received two A*s and an A. He will now be studying aerospace engineering at the University of Southampton.

Mia Davies, from Outwood Academy Foxhills, received three A*s and will be studying at Hull York Medical School to become a doctor.

08:54

Students open their results at John Leggott College

Cameron Johnson opened his results at the college this morning and received an A* and three A’s.

With a huge smile on his face, he said: “I’m absolutely delighted.”

08:51

North Lindsey College speak to students

Representatives from North Lindsey College are in attendance at John Leggott College to speak to students about the opportunity of staying in Scunthorpe whilst studying a Higher Education degree at the college’s University Centre

08:48

Students collect results

Our reporter and photographer are live this morning at John Leggott College in Scunthorpe and South Axholme Academy in Epworth. Students are now collecting their results.